Okay... It is Winter

It is hard to let go of Fall. I love it. I love the colors and the smells and the weather. I honestly think I could live in a continual state of Fall. That is one of the things that makes Utah so wonderful. We have four very distinct seasons. Winter used to be my absolute favorite. I mean... Winter is why I initially moved to Utah. The lisence plates even say "Ski Utah" and "The best snow on Earth" on them. But, that is when I only made money to snowboard. That is all I did and wanted to do. Now, it just means I have to leave for work 10 minutes earlier, shovel the walk, scrape my windows, warm up the car... you know the routine. See, Fall is good because you can wear your fancy new boots and that lovely cable knit scarf, but you don't have to worry about ruining them with the salt and sand that they put on the road, or, the dreaded falling in the parking lot on your way into the office.

But, Winter brings many great things, too. CHRISTMAS... CHRISTMAS SHOPPING... CHRISTMAS MUSIC... CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUES... CHRISTMAS CRAFTING... oh, wonderful Christmas. Cohen is pretty excited about all of the snow, too. We need to get him some boots so he can go play in it. In fact, we all need better shoes this year. Our canvas Vans just don't cut it in the snow.

Last night Lyndsey and I went to the Festival of Trees. I forgot my camera because I was so eager to get there. They had great treats and great choirs singing in the background. The trees were all beautiful and the memorials were very touching. I was a bit disappointed in the Gift Boutique portion. First off, they marked my bags to sell for $5 and $8. :-( Oh well, they know what sells. Those place mat totes were all the rage and they were going from $20. Lyndsey's bags were priced higher so that is good. I was also very saddened to see the piles and piles of crochet afghans selling for only $20. I wish I had enough money to buy them all up just so those hours and hours of crocheting would be rewarded. Oh well, the trees are what makes the money. Most of the bids I saw on the individual trees were over $1000. I think it is wonderful that Primary Children's Hospital can raise so much money in only days.

Festival of Trees

This year I have the great opportunity of donating six bags to the boutique portion of the Festival of Trees. My sister Lyndsey was roommates with one of the group leaders and few years back. She knew we made stuff so asked if we would be interested. HECK YES!



We got invitations to the "Donators" preview for tonight and I cannot wait. I hear it is a pretty magical place. I'm sure I'll cry when I see the tribute trees because I always do. Tonight I'll take my camera to take my own pictures of all of the wonderful things.

*images borrowed from FestivalofTrees.com.

Happy Thanksgiving

Well, I was on my way out the door to meet my trainer at the gym this morning (6:30) and he called to say he slept in. Woo Hoo! I know I should go anyway, but I am going to skip it today. What the heck... It is not like I plan on doing much dieting today anyway. But, I'm all dressed and ready.

Why do we do this to ourselves? Make ourselves feel guilty for not doing the things we're supposed to enjoy...

I know what I can do for a happy compromise. When Cohen wakes up, we'll go on a nice walk. It is supposed to snow this weekend so this might be our last chance anyway. Good thinkin' Lori!

Anyway, I hope you can forgive yourselves tomorrow morning and not feel horrible about yourselves because you stuffed your gut a little too full of rich foods. Just start Friday as if Thursday was a regular day and go on your happy normal way. Let's stop feeling guilty for a little self indulgence. It's okay every once in awhile.

Have a great day.

Fall Is Not Gone Yet

Look what I got in the mail! These eleven unwashed gourds will turn into happy little snowmen ornaments for our tree. I think they look so pretty sitting on my tomato tablecloth. I'm hanging on the last bits of fall before the weather turns cold and all I can hear is Christmas music.

Ducks in a Row

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I have had quite a difficult time getting ready for this boutique. I usually love it. The atmosphere is wonderful. The mansion we hold it in is all done in old post and beam style with hand stamped plaster walls. It is georgeous. I cannot wait to take pictures of my booth when I am all set up so you all can really see how wonderful it is.

With only 10 days of crafting left, I forced myself to stay awake until these bags were done. After work I went to the gym for a good workout, had a great healthy dinner, and a quick Family Night activity and I was feeling good. I drank my 20 ounces of diet Dr. Pepper (counteracting all of the healthy stuff from the earlier portion of the evening), read a few books to Cohen before bedtime, and turned on my iPod for hours of crafting pleasure. I did it and was all done by midnight. I congratulated myself by watching reruns of Little People, Big World on TLC for a few moments before I could no longer keep my eyes open.

It makes all of the insanity worth it to see all of these sweet bags lined up ready to be given to their new owners.


This one is my favorite and I won't be dissapointed if no one purchases it. :)

12 Days of Crafting

The invitations have been picked up and the Boutique on Brentwood is only 2 weeks away. Last night I just cut out more and more bags. I am very excited about the designs I am using this time around. I was so sick of mass producing totes so I found a great pattern I liked, altered it, and I'm coming up with some pretty cute stuff. They are taking a lot longer than I had hoped, but all I can do is get done what I can.

Last night while I was cutting out the bags and doing the applique, I watched this and I totally loved it. Tonight I'll be watching TLC and HGTV reruns as I continue to cut, cut, cut. I found the last time around, it was easier to get everything cut out at the very beginning. Then, I could match like colors so I didn't have to change the thread so often. I was also able to put all of the fabric away so I didn't have that added clutter around the sewing machine.



This stocking garland is an advent calendar that I made for Stacy for the Christmas Stocking Swap. It was a lot of fun to do. I actually decided that I'd make a few of them for my boutique, but I'll only do 12 days instead of 25. I made a quick trip to Deseret Industries to look for wool sweaters to cut up. I found some great stuff that I am eager to start butchering! Sometimes I feel so bad cutting up sweaters because they are so wonderful, but then I see what comes out of them and it is even better. So, I'll be making 12 Day Sweater Stocking Advent Calendars in the next few weeks. I better get crafting.

Christmas Already??

This entire weekend has been spent on Christmas crafting. Again, I am working on a swap on Craftster. This time I'm swapping with an amazing seamstress, so I feel a little pressure. I'm pleased, though. I needed to get going on the holiday crafting to get me excited about the Boutique on Brentwood.



I've been in a bit of a crafting rut, but I've made a list and I think all is well. I am ready to start getting ready. Good thing... it is only 3 weeks away. I'm excited. Yeah... I was starting to feel dread and I didn't like it. I usually look forward to this boutique every year.

After Brentwood, I am going to probably open an Etsy shop. I think I've proven to myself that I can sell things. I need to take a stabbity stab at doing it online.



So, this is the last bit of stuff I am sending Stacy. I feel really great about this package and I hope she feels great about it, too. I also included an ornament painting kit for her daughter.





Oh... one more thing... a beautiful wool scarf. It is about six feet long and only two inches wide. I love it. I do have one other gift I am sending, but in case she reads this before she receives, I'll save her one surprise.



Enjoy Stacy!

My First ATC

According to Sister Diane's Crafty Pod interview, Artist Trading Cards have been around for quite a long time. It really is a great way to get a lot of original art for no cost at all. It is very easy to do via email. This is my first attempt at the ATC, let alone calling myself an artist. I think I did okay.

I just received the card in trade but I can't find it. I don't think I'm really into this, but I had to at least give it a shot.

TRICK OR TREAT

This is why I love Halloween:



AND...This is why I don't love Halloween: